Editor:

We are very grateful and appreciate the article that was in the April 13 edition of the Coast Reporter. It brought much needed attention to the work that the Hospice Society does in our community.

I would, however, like to clarify a few things.

Hike for Hospice is an event to help raise awareness about the work the Hospice Society does as well as raise money to help support the services the society provides in our community. We are not at this time raising money specifically for another hospice bed.

We may in the future, after we do more research. We will keep the community informed as we gather information.

Another minor clarification is that we do not provide counselling services, but we do provide grief support for people who are grieving the loss of a loved one. We offer one-on-one grief support as well as grief support groups.

Finally, I miss spoke when I said that the Hospice rooms are occupied every day of the year. More often than not the rooms are occupied, however, there are times when a room may be empty for a day or a week.

By the way, while I have your attention, Hike for Hospice will be on May 6 from noon to 2:30 p.m. at Porpoise Bay Provincial Park. For more information about the Hike for Hospice and how you can get involved or for more info about the Sunshine Coast Hospice society please visit www.coasthospice.com.

Ali Khan

President/Sunshine Coast Hospice Society